What is copyright and why must instructors respect it in instructional materials?

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Copyright are legal rights that protect original works and control how they can be used, shared, or reproduced. For instructors, this means you must not copy, distribute, or display protected materials—like textbooks, images, videos, or software—without getting permission or a proper license. Respecting copyright keeps you legally compliant and ensures creators receive credit and any due compensation.

In practice, you respect it by using materials that are allowed for education, such as items with licenses that permit academic use or open educational resources, or works that are in the public domain. When permissions aren’t available, you can rely on fair use or classroom exemptions where applicable, but you still weigh how much you’re using and the purpose. Always provide attribution when required. This approach supports ethical teaching, preserves access to quality resources, and honors the rights of creators.